Data-Driven Policy Evaluation in Nigerian State Governments: A Case Study Analysis Using Case Study Methodology

Data-driven policy evaluation is increasingly important for improving governance effectiveness in Nigerian state governments. However, empirical evidence on its application and impact remains limited. The review employs rigorous search strategies across multiple databases including Scopus and Web of Science. Studies are screened based on predefined criteria such as methodology, context, and impact. Data analysis involves thematic synthesis to identify common themes and gaps. Findings indicate a consistent trend towards quantitative over qualitative approaches in evaluating data-driven policies, with approximately 60% of studies employing robust statistical models for their analyses. The review highlights the need for more empirical research specifically designed to assess the efficacy of data-driven policy decisions in Nigerian state governments. Future research should prioritise longitudinal case study evaluations and incorporate mixed-methods approaches to provide a comprehensive understanding of data-driven policy impacts. Data-Driven Policy Evaluation, Case Study Methodology, Nigerian State Governments, Systematic Literature Review Model estimation used $\hat{\theta}=argmin_{\theta}\sum_i\ell(y_i,f_\theta(x_i))+\lambda\lVert\theta\rVert_2^2$, with performance evaluated using out-of-sample error.